What is it like Applying to DSNY?

I first heard about the Data School New York from Collin who was presenting at an event. At first sight, I saw the words the Data School and wondered if this was an academic program. However, as a data analyst, seeing the word data still piqued my interest and I decided to learn more about what the program was about. It was until I heard that the program trains individuals in Tableau and Alteryx (with top experts in these softwares) while paying them a salary that I was captured. 

Now if you are also interested in applying to the Data School, then this blog might be able to help you through the process.

Tableau Proficiency

Although I have experience in data analytics, my analysis was mainly conducted through R and SQL while focusing on data science. Tableau was a tool that I have dived into slightly for the data visualization aspect while Alteryx was a tool I have never used before. 

The main point is you do NOT need to be proficient in these tools to apply! However, you will need to be able to make a dashboard on Tableau to submit your application. The purpose of the Data School is to teach you to be an expert in Tableau and Alteryx. During this process, you would also be building up your portfolio. There have been applicants who built a dashboard and applied to the Data School but did not get in. Yet, they used the same dashboard for another job application and got in there!

Attend a Meet and Greet

I attended the meet and greet that the Data School hosted before the application deadline. The meet and greet is a great way to get a presentation on how to use Tableau or Alteryx as well as meet with other Data School consultants. You also get to know a lot about some secret (not so secret) deadlines to take advantage of! Sign up for information on these events through the Data School Events Website.

Actual Application Process:

Initial Application

Start by finding a data set that you are interested in. This can be the most time consuming part of the process. Some DSers have found themselves even changing their dataset at the final timeline and remaking their dashboard. Make sure to plan accordingly and find a dataset that you are comfortable with presenting insights on.

Be aware of the application deadline (check for the cohort you want to apply to) by going to the Data School Application website. If you submit a week early before the application deadline (this is the feedback deadline), you will receive feedback on your dashboard from some of the consultants at the Data School! You can then review your dashboard and resubmit an updated dashboard before the application deadline.

First Interview

If your dashboard reacted well with the feedback provided, you would be offered an initial interview chat with one of the Data School Coaches for a virtual 30 minute call. In this call, you will be asked to present your dashboard within ~5 minutes with the usual interview questions following after. Be able to explain your dashboard, why you made the decisions you made, and stay confident.

Final Interview 

Now is the final step. If you are selected to move forward, you will receive an email containing information about the dataset to use, your buddy for the week and when is your interview scheduled for.

In this stage, you will not be choosing your own dataset but will be given a dataset by the Data School. You will also be assigned a buddy (usually a DSer) that will be available to provide some feedback with your final dashboard. You are asked to build a dashboard in 7-10 days and submit it before your final interview.

Practice your presentation for this dashboard as well. It will be quite obvious if you have not practiced before. You will likely be attending the final interview in person at Civic Hall in panel format. There would be 4-5 interviewers in the room with you during this interview. This interview will be in a similar format as the initial interview where you will be asked to go through your dashboard in ~5 minutes with questions following after.

If you did not succeed in getting into DSNY in your first try, you have the opportunity to apply again for a future cohort. Many DSers have applied more than once and gotten in.

Some general recommendations for when you are making your dashboard is to find what your dashboard is trying to tell. Be careful with chart junk and manage your dashboard’s data ink ratio.

If you are extremely curious, keen to learn, happy to work with others, and open to feedback, then the Data School might be the right fit for you!

Apply here!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Author:
Calvin Gao
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